Lent V, Cycle C

"Anointing for Death, and for Life!"

March 21, 2010

The Rev. Dr. David M. Wendel

Saint Luke's Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs

Lessons: Isaiah 43:16-21; Philippians 3:4b-14; St. John 12:1-8

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

One of the greatest "sins" today, it would seem, is to be wasteful. While our current secular culture cares little for sin as disobeying God, woe unto you if you waste—natural resources, time, or energy. Wastefulness is the new, contemporary "sin", and everything in modern society seems aimed at keeping us from committing the "sin" of wastefulness, from efforts at recycling, to ordinances aimed at reducing wasteful emissions, to worries and protests about run-away governmental waste. And we can do our part, by not making frivolous trips in our cars, by considering how efficiently we can organize our days, and holding government and others accountable for not being wasteful with our tax dollars. Which are, of course, all good things—except when they cause us to become so preoccupied with efficiency and utilitarianism, that we are unwilling, in life, to do anything that is perceived as "wasteful"—or not the best use of resources.

If you think about it, that, really, was the argument presented by Judas, upon seeing Mary using up an entire pound of costly perfume of pure nard, to anoint the feet of Jesus. In some ways, we might see Judas fitting in quite well with contemporary society today, with his apparent deep concern for not wasting precious resources! And yet, St. John tells us quite clearly that wasn't Judas' concern at all. John tells us in our account that Judas cared little for conserving resources so that more could be given to the poor, but that Judas cared about conserving funds so that there would be more for himself, as he was used to helping himself to the common funds. And yet, in spite of Judas' unethical actions, his theme of wastefulness has been used in the Church from the very beginning to criticize extravagant donations and expenditures as being wasteful—when hey, people are starving in Africa! Couldn't that money being used to build the new church, to hire a new staff person, to put new carpet in the library, be better off in reserve, so that in the future, we would have it for more pressing needs? Aren't the funds that were donated for that new gold chalice, or those fancy paraments for the altar being wasted, when they could be used for more pragmatic, practical, utilitarian purposes? Often, when making these arguments, well-meaning Christians suggest the money might be spent on the poor, the homeless, the needy in our community and world—but my experience tells me such arguments are frequently just a smoke-screen, because what ends up happening is that a pittance is given to those in need, if any, and most ends up being hoarded away, often out of fear for the future, fear for what economic troubles might arise, fear that God might not provide for us, so we're better off providing for ourselves. All of which, in some ways are sound, fair arguments, so long as they're not growing out of a belief, a feeling that anything given to Christ and His Church, is a waste. Because once a Christian or a congregation starts thinking that way, it never ends! We can see any kind of offering, giving, sacrifice as being wasteful—as well as any time, talent or ability given to Jesus. On the one hand, we see quite readily how Judas, or any of the disciples might've argued that an entire pound of costly nard perfume was wasteful, when a smaller amount might've been sufficient for the anointing of Jesus' feet. On the other hand, it's just a short hop, skip and jump to convince yourself that even the hour and fifteen minutes you spend in church each week, the contribution you place in the offering plate on Sunday, the time you spend reading the Holy Scriptures, or praying, can be seen as wasteful, because none of that can really be considered "productive", or an efficient use of time. Sitting in church for more than an hour each week—can't that be done in 50 minutes, or less? When I place my check in the offering envelope, do I know, for a fact, that every penny will be used with the utmost concern for good stewardship, and not a cent wasted on those silly little peppermints out by the coffee in the Atrium? When I spend 15 minutes each morning or evening reading my Bible, or praying, couldn't that time be better used by doing something nice for someone else? When you get right down to it, if the concern is wastefulness, and not wasting time or resources, then little of this Christian stuff makes any practical, real-life sense.

Marva Dawn, a theologian and author and adjunct professor of spiritual theology at Regent College writes in her book, A Royal Waste of Time, "To worship the Lord is—in the world's eyes—a waste of time. It is indeed, a royal waste of time, but a waste nonetheless. By engaging in it, we don't accomplish anything useful in our society's terms." But, she continues, "Worship ought not to be construed in a utilitarian way. Its purpose is not to gain numbers, nor for our churches to be seen as successful. Rather, the entire reason for worship is that God deserves it."

No wonder then, that many in our world, and in the Church, see worship as wasteful, because it serves no practical purpose. If worship isn't to gain more members for our church; if increasing worship attendance doesn't prove that ours is a successful church, then what's the point? Aren't we just wasting time? Yes, if you want to look at it that way—that's exactly what can be said—we are "wasting time" on God. Or rather, we are giving God some of our time, because, as Marva Dawn says, "He deserves it!" Just as Jesus deserved to have his feet anointed by Mary, as an act of worship, adoration and love. Just as spending time with our loved ones, our spouses, our children, our adult parents and friends, indicates how much we care for them. I know lots of married couples, for example, who spend little or no time together, each going their own way as if they have no real interest in each other anymore. That is not the sign of a good marriage—for in a good and strong marriage, there will be such respect and love one for another, that we will "waste time" on each other—to express our appreciation for the other. And the same is true with God. For those who care deeply about who God is, as our God, and are appreciative of what God has done and is doing for us, we will desire with all our hearts to spend time with God—to "waste time" if you will, in worship, prayer and devotion. Just as making offerings, giving of our time, talent and treasure is a reflection of our commitment to the place of God in our lives, and our wish to support and participate in God's work in the world. What Judas, and the world sees as a waste of time and money, the faithful Christian sees as an opportunity to both give God greater glory, and to do something bigger in our world, with more monumental significance, than just going to work, paying our bills, trying to build up a bigger and bigger nest-egg. For those here who had the chance to contribute, through the years, to the building of our sanctuary, our new fellowship hall, our new educational wing—what might be considered a waste of money by some, was from our perspective, a once or twice in a lifetime opportunity for us to have a part in providing a church where members, families, children would come for ages to come, to know God, to hear God's Word, to receive His gifts of grace, and to learn all that He has commanded us. Such giving to Christ and His Church is our way of anointing Him with costly perfume, not for the day of his burial, as with Mary, but in recognition of His risen life in the world, and in our church. In our day, we offer Christ Jesus, not funeral articles to be closed up with Him in a tomb, but offerings that will further His living mission and His growing kingdom, today, and for years to come—so that our resources are truly, not wasted, or buried, but used—used to God's glory, because He deserves it—and we are blessed, by the chance to have our money, our resources, our time, our energy, received, and used by God, to change the world, and lives.

Which is why I am not ashamed, or embarrassed at times, to ask for special gifts and offerings that serve Christ, His Church, and the world. When I was first in ministry, I hesitated to talk much about stewardship and offerings—afraid as a young pastor that people might be offended, might think I was presuming upon their generosity by asking directly, and straightforwardly, whether they might consider making a special gift of time, talent or treasure. So, in the early years, I rarely asked. But as I matured, and gained some pastoral wisdom, what God taught me was what a blessing it is to BE asked, so that we might also be blessed by the chance to GIVE! And I think we all realize, had I not learned to ask, little here would've been accomplished through the years—from our several building programs, to the establishment of our Children's Center, to the full and active ministry we have today. Sometimes, we have to be bold to ask, and bold to give—our pound of costly perfume, for the glory of God, in the face of the Risen Jesus among us.

Which is why I've been asking, yet again, that some here might consider making an above and beyond offering to help us create a new children and family ministry position—to glorify God and to reach out to the children and youth among us in our church and Children's Center. In still uncertain economic times, there may be those who see such collection and use of funds as wasteful, or at least untimely. But costly ointment used to worship and acknowledge Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior, is never wasted, and certainly never untimely. And so, we're trying to raise special funds for a new ministry position—for the sake of our children and youth, yes, to strengthen our overall ministry and mission, yes, but even more, to anoint the feet of Jesus—to worship Him, by giving ourselves to Him—to the praise and glory of Almighty God. And I'm hoping, and praying that those who can, will give generously, even as Mary gave generously, lavishly, sacrificially, to prepare Jesus' body for His coming death. But we give, not for Jesus' death, but for Jesus' life among us today! In our every gift of time, talent and treasure, let us anoint Jesus' body, not for burial, not to be sealed away in a stone-cold tomb—but for lively, life-filled mission and ministry, in this place, in our congregation, in our community, in God's world!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.